Illustration and Cartoons by Paul Combs

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Monthly Archives: March 2017

All hockey fans understand the significance of the penalty box. After all, it’s a prime opportunity for your beloved team to score a goal with the sinister opposing squad short by one player on the ice, and the penalized team has to form a protective Death Star defense around the goalie in a desperate attempt to stop a frozen rubber rock from hitting the back of the net. A 2-minute minor penalty can feel like an agonizing hour! Melodramatic? Perhaps. Depends if you’re a hockey nut (or hockey wing-nut like us Detroit fans), and like a good fire/EMS service sports metaphor.

I wish I could take complete credit for this illustration, but an On Scene Training Associates buddy gave me the concept of being caught in the chief’s penalty box without a timer. And knowing him, I can pretty much see how he would get whistled for hooking, slashing, or voicing his opinion. However, an opportunity presented itself to have some fun with how many of us feel at times – being boxed in by a never-ending, double secrete probation, in the doghouse, penalty box detention. Now, did most of us earn that trip to the sin bin? Probably. But there are times when personality and opinions can put you there, too. Threaten the powers-that-be with (gasp) common sense, or the oh-so gentle body slam to the boards when you crush a superior’s ego. Yep, that will put you in the penalty box, and garner a 5-minute major, too!

So, have fun with this one. Smile, snort, scoff, or simply get angry, break your stick over the boards and climb the glass and beat the snot out of some intoxicated chiding fan – whatever makes you feel better.

STAY FIRED UP, and keep fighting the good fight – no matter how long it takes!

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You’re human. You WILL make mistakes. How you accept and deal with failure says more about you than how you bask in the spotlight of success. Credibility and respect begin with accepting the consequences of your decisions… and not blaming others for the mistakes you’ve earned.

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It has been a while since I’ve posted a new cartoon. To be honest, since the loss of my friend to a car accident I have been in a two-month creative canyon (think Mariana Trench) where nothing seemed funny and no amount of motivation could convince my hand to create. But as with most things, time has a way of regenerating creativity and it felt good to be at the drawing table again. Therapy, really. So, I apologize to my fans of this page and sincerely thank you for your patience and well wishes as I, and so many others, need to heal and come to terms with EJ’s death.

Now, to the art.

They’re hardheaded. They dig their heels in. You know the type — people who are way too stubborn for their own, or the organization’s good. While it’s easy to point the finger at others who exhibit this behavior, it can be hard to recognize this trait in yourself. Too many times we are taken down by our own ego, or deep down the river of denial that our policies and decisions are heading for a devastating conclusion – the metaphorical cliff. What’s worse is that your decision to keep going in the same direction regardless of the signs to change course can take a good department and its people over the cliff with you.

Albert Einstein said “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Sounds like a pretty smart dude. Perhaps there’s a lesson to be learned here, eh?

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Like most things in life, there’s a balance and equilibrium to today’s issues that often gets skewed once viewed through our personal lens of life experiences. Such is the continuing argument between the older and younger generations, and who is better or worse for fire and EMS. As a man who just turned 50 (it’s been 7 months, but who’s really counting?), I too get frustrated with a group of younger trainees who at times can seem unmotivated and disrespectful. But then I remember a time when I was considered to be the same way by the seasoned veterans who trained my generation. And though they would never admit it, the generation before them most likely made the same accusations.

The point I’m trying to make with this illustration is that we need to not just view Millennials through our lens, but to understand them through theirs – especially if you’re an officer or instructor. I have been frustrated in both roles, but inspired and motivated by them, too. I have seen Gen X and Baby Boomer instructors turn out the intellectual lights the minute a younger person walked into the room. “They won’t listen anyway!” Well, maybe not, but isn’t it your responsibility to try? After all, you’re calling yourself the “adult” in the room, right?

Any good thing takes hard work, and the younger generation is worth the effort! Give what you know away, if they won’t accept it, then shame on them… which will be a future illustration!

STAY FIRED UP, and pass it forward – more people are watching and listening than you know!

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There’s a cure for this contagious and infectious illness, unfortunately most find it a bitter pill to take, regardless of the damage being done. So, if you suffer from moderate to severe over-inflated ego, please, for the good of those around you, take your medicine!

* This important message has been brought to you by the makers of HUMILITY, and everybody that must tolerate your bloated self worth. Side effects may include improved morale, increased productivity, recovered passion, effective communication, bolstered civility, reformed mood, and brotherhood.

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About The Artist:

Paul is a classically trained artist, award-winning illustrator, and firefighter/EMT. That’s right, this unlikely combination has made Paul one of the most compelling and distinctive illustrators in America today. Paul burst onto the scene with a refreshing new style that married classical realism, manic energy, and a zany imagination for caricature. His lavishly detailed illustrations are published worldwide in newspapers, magazines (print and online), and books. His politically charged editorial cartoons are syndicated world-wide by Tribune Media Services/Tribune Content Agency.

In conjunction with his career as an illustrator, Paul is a twenty-year veteran of the fire service where he is a Firefighter II, NREMT, HazMat Technician, and Instructor for the City of Bryan Fire Training Academy.
Paul is also an FDIC H.O.T. instructor and presenter, and an adjunct instructor for the Ohio Fire Academy.